Minneapolis for the weekend - which airport/FBO?

[iamtheari]

I am headed to downtown Minneapolis this weekend and trying to decide where to park my plane. I won't want a rental car. I'll need about 30 gallons of 100LL and two nights of parking. I can ride Uber and/or light rail from any of the metropolitan airports to downtown. MSP is probably not the best due to gas and ramp costs. STP has $5.75 gas and MCI has $4.80. Does anyone know parking options and prices at those two airports? Am I skipping over another good choice that's reasonable if you're headed downtown? Thanks in advance!

 

[GBSoren]

I just flew to STP last Friday to pick my daughter up from college (spring break). St Paul flight center is the FBO I used, no landing fee's (as long as you don't burn Jet-A) and they wave the ramp fee if you put on 15 gal of 100ll, otherwise it's $15 I think. They knocked a buck a gallon off there posted price for "trying them out", so it was $4.75/gal if I remember. Nice place and really nice people, I'd highly recommend it.

STP is only about 1 mile from Union Depot, the last stop on the green line light rail. You could Uber to Union depot and light rail from there.

 

[mondtster]

MCI is in Kansas - do you mean MIC?

I've been to all the western side airports but never been to the St. Paul ones. I think the St. Paul options are going to get you the closest to the downtown area if the distance is a concern. Of the western airports I probably like Flying Cloud the best but am really indifferent. They're all easy to get in and out of, either VFR or IFR. As far as parking prices go, I'd suggest calling each place. I haven't been there for a while (last summer and fall) so any pricing I'd give would be outdated by now.

 

[gismo]

I am headed to downtown Minneapolis this weekend and trying to decide where to park my plane. I won't want a rental car. I'll need about 30 gallons of 100LL and two nights of parking. I can ride Uber and/or light rail from any of the metropolitan airports to downtown. MSP is probably not the best due to gas and ramp costs. STP has $5.75 gas and MCI has $4.80. Does anyone know parking options and prices at those two airports? Am I skipping over another good choice that's reasonable if you're headed downtown? Thanks in advance!

Crystal (MIC) is a little closer distance wise but not so much when time is the measure. Thunderbird is at both FCM and MIC and they used to offer a discount at FCM for transients (call and ask). The cheapest fuel at FCM is Modern Avionics (self-serve) at $4.19/gal but they don't have a lot of parking space (call and ask). Another option is Flemming (KSGS). Their fuel is even less at $4.09 and they even have MoGas if you can use that. The travel time to downtown Mpls is 20-30 minutes from each of those airports depending on traffic. If you can get the discount at T-Bird or if Modern has parking available I'd go there.

If you're coming from the South or East you'd need to fly way around the Bravo to get to MIC but from the North MIC is easier.

Uber/Taxi is the only option (besides a rental) from FCM. You can get downtown by bus from MIC but it will take at least an your and you'll have to walk the first half mile (the FBO might give you a ride if you ask).

 

[iamtheari]

MCI is in Kansas - do you mean MIC?

Yes, I did. I posted from my phone and messed that up. Thanks for catching that before someone around here tells me how to find the Greyhound station in Kansas City.

STP is only about 1 mile from Union Depot, the last stop on the green line light rail. You could Uber to Union depot and light rail from there.

Based on the weather forecast, I'll walk that mile. I pack light, will be traveling alone, and 55 and sunny when you have been shoveling snow in subzero temperatures earlier that week makes it an easy choice.

Thanks for the information so far. I'll make some phone calls later this week. I'm coming from the northwest so Crystal is the first airport I'll pass and the path of least resistance on airspace. But I'm not afraid to ask for clearance through or to fly around/under the Class B to get to St Paul. My PPL check ride required me to plan a cross country to St Paul and I'd like to actually fly that plan one of these days.

if it matters, I'm VFR but just short hours and an endorsement for my instrument rating, so I am comfortable working with ATC and would enjoy the experience of working in a busier part of the system.

 

[GBSoren]

Yes, I did. I posted from my phone and messed that up. Thanks for catching that before someone around here tells me how to find the Greyhound station in Kansas City.


Based on the weather forecast, I'll walk that mile. I pack light, will be traveling alone, and 55 and sunny when you have been shoveling snow in subzero temperatures earlier that week makes it an easy choice.

Thanks for the information so far. I'll make some phone calls later this week. I'm coming from the northwest so Crystal is the first airport I'll pass and the path of least resistance on airspace. But I'm not afraid to ask for clearance through or to fly around/under the Class B to get to St Paul. My PPL check ride required me to plan a cross country to St Paul and I'd like to actually fly that plan one of these days.

if it matters, I'm VFR but just short hours and an endorsement for my instrument rating, so I am comfortable working with ATC and would enjoy the experience of working in a busier part of the system.

The problem with walking is it's across the river to Union Depot, so you'd have to walk the bridge, I'm not sure if they have a walkway on that bridge or not. I'm estimating the distance too, so you better map it, that's got me in trouble with my wife before, "honey, it's only about a mile" turns into 2.5....in the cold....wifey not happy!

Flying into STP was fun, it was my first time. I was on FF, ACT asked if I wanted vectors, but I'd programmed in the RNAV approach to runway 32 so I just asked if I could follow that. I stayed under bravo, which was pretty easy too, the step downs on the approach keeps you under it anyway. It's more of an issue on departure, I stayed at 2000 until I was east of the 2300' floor, the went to 2500 until the 4000 ring, turned south, then SW once far enough south. FF worked good, ATC was helpful and accommodation.

 

[iamtheari]

The problem with walking is it's across the river to Union Depot, so you'd have to walk the bridge, I'm not sure if they have a walkway on that bridge or not. I'm estimating the distance too, so you better map it, that's got me in trouble with my wife before, "honey, it's only about a mile" turns into 2.5....in the cold....wifey not happy!

Flying into STP was fun, it was my first time. I was on FF, ACT asked if I wanted vectors, but I'd programmed in the RNAV approach to runway 32 so I just asked if I could follow that. I stayed under bravo, which was pretty easy too, the step downs on the approach keeps you under it anyway. It's more of an issue on departure, I stayed at 2000 until I was east of the 2300' floor, the went to 2500 until the 4000 ring, turned south, then SW once far enough south. FF worked good, ATC was helpful and accommodation.

My wife would rather walk the whole way in the cold rain than fly, but she isn't coming with this time anyhow. I mostly abuse myself that way, though, and will heed your advice about checking out the walking situation before setting out. I've spent more hours over the years walking "short distances" than I should probably admit. Sadly, alcohol is not even involved in most of those stories.

I flew into KANE last fall and, on departure, climbed too fast and narrowly caught myself before entering the Class B from below. There seems to be a pretty narrow window of time to leave the Class D, change frequencies, and obtain clearance to enter the Class B. Is there a way to shorten that process up, perhaps through the magic of flight following (which I have to admit I do not use as much as I should)?

 

[gismo]

My wife would rather walk the whole way in the cold rain than fly, but she isn't coming with this time anyhow. I mostly abuse myself that way, though, and will heed your advice about checking out the walking situation before setting out. I've spent more hours over the years walking "short distances" than I should probably admit. Sadly, alcohol is not even involved in most of those stories.

Last time I was there (years ago) you could catch a bus about two blocks from the airport entrance at KSTP.

I flew into KANE last fall and, on departure, climbed too fast and narrowly caught myself before entering the Class B from below. There seems to be a pretty narrow window of time to leave the Class D, change frequencies, and obtain clearance to enter the Class B. Is there a way to shorten that process up, perhaps through the magic of flight following (which I have to admit I do not use as much as I should)?

Things are a lot tighter around MIC and STP. Also SGS is so close to the inner ring of the Class B that you can almost reach out and touch the wall while on downwind for runway 34.

 

[GBSoren]

I would definitely ask for flight follow, like gismo said, the airspace is tight around STP, 2300 bravo floor overhead and bravo to the surface is just west of the airport. It helps (I think) if you can program an approach in, then you can come in direct instead of a pattern landing, and the step downs in the approach keep you out of Bravo.

I think you can ask for flight follow while on the ground before departure, I didn't do that last time but wished I had. That way tower would hand you off to MSP approach when leaving delta. Someone with more experience than me can correct me if I'm wrong but I plan on asking for FF while on the ground before departure next time.

 

[Ozone]

If you are thinking of STP, might I suggest that you look about 30 seconds to the south at SGS? Gas is also about $4 right now.
parking fees, etc: http://www.flemingfield.com/hangar-and-land-lease-information/
You can fly on the west side of STP at 1800-1900ft, right over STP's tower (after getting permission to transition), and then you are pretty much on the downwind entry for 34.

 

[champ driver]

Just a couple of suggestions here.
STP is easy to get into and out of, mostly corporate stuff and not steady traffic. Fly around the north side of the cities and stay under the Class B shelf, 2300" over STP, watch out for the Shoreview towers off to your left on the ILS 14. St Paul Flight Center and Signature are the 2 FBOs there. I'm based at STP Flight center, don't know any of their prices though.
You probable won't get left traffic for 32 or 30, expect right traffic because of the proximity to MSP class B, it can be done though.
You can't walk across the Lafayette bridge, no walkways that I've ever seen on my drive to work. You'll have to go farther west to the Robert St bridge, I'm guessing more like a 2 mile walk, the forecast shows in the 20's in the morning hours of the weekend.

ANE is farther north than MIC, but it's right on 35W and a straight shot to MSP downtown. I live near ANE, and based there too, and it's a 20 minute drive with no traffic, meaning non rush hour, to downtown. Cirrus and Key Air are the 2 FBOs.

On climb out, don't climb so high until you get your Class B clearance, or I'm sure you can get a Class B clearance before TO with the local tower. All though I've never personally done it, I just never do VFR Class B.

 

[iamtheari]

Just a couple of suggestions here.
STP is easy to get into and out of, mostly corporate stuff and not steady traffic. Fly around the north side of the cities and stay under the Class B shelf, 2300" over STP, watch out for the Shoreview towers off to your left on the ILS 14. St Paul Flight Center and Signature are the 2 FBOs there. I'm based at STP Flight center, don't know any of their prices though.
You probable won't get left traffic for 32 or 30, expect right traffic because of the proximity to MSP class B, it can be done though.
You can't walk across the Lafayette bridge, no walkways that I've ever seen on my drive to work. You'll have to go farther west to the Robert St bridge, I'm guessing more like a 2 mile walk, the forecast shows in the 20's in the morning hours of the weekend.

ANE is farther north than MIC, but it's right on 35W and a straight shot to MSP downtown. I live near ANE, and based there too, and it's a 20 minute drive with no traffic, meaning non rush hour, to downtown. Cirrus and Key Air are the 2 FBOs.

On climb out, don't climb so high until you get your Class B clearance, or I'm sure you can get a Class B clearance before TO with the local tower. All though I've never personally done it, I just never do VFR Class B.

Thanks for the local information. When I flew into ANE last fall I used Cirrus, including putting my plane in their hangar to let the ice melt off since of course there was freezing rain the entire time I was in town. I drank a lot of their coffee, talked airplanes, paid a fair price for Canadian VFR charts, and got a free lottery ticket (which did not have the winning numbers on it) because I bought fuel from them. They are exactly what a small airport FBO should be. I have probably been ignoring ANE on this trip because I want to try something different and because it looks to be farther from downtown on the map, even though you are right that it is on 35W so the distance is not a problem.

Is there a time of day when transitioning the Class B to get to STP is easier or is it always better to just duck under and stay out?

 

[champ driver]

I couldn't tell you if there's a better time for the Class B, if you're at 2500-3000, you are well below the jets into MSP. Myself, I know the airspace so well that I would just stay out of it and not deal with Class B, I would listen up on the approach freq though.

 

[KaiGywer]

Another vote for SGS. Cheap fuel and lots of parking from the looks of it. Just remember the CTAF is "Fleming Traffic". Confused me the first time I heard that one.

 

[Kristin]

I have used Fleming on a number of occasions. There used to be a hangar option that was very reasonable. I think I was charged something like $115 for a week. Fuel is often the lowest there too. Mass transit isn't much though so it would likely be an Uber ride.

 

[tlglenn]

I like STP (and I've used both FBOs) although I've always had a rental car or a friend come get me so I can't comment on other transportation options. I would not recommend arriving at night since it can be difficult to spot the airport.